Assessment of insulin resistance in preterm children appropriate for gestational age versus term and preterm children with intrauterine growth restriction

AIM OF THE STUDY: Estimation of carbohydrate metabolism parameters in the groups: AGA preterm, SGA term, SGA preterm and AGA term. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 89 children were qualified: group A – AGA preterm 22, group B – SGA preterm 26, SGA term group C – 30 children, AGA – term group D – 11 children; at the age of 6–7 years. Insulin and fasting glucose levels were measure. HOMA IR and QUICKI, lipid profile were calculated. RESULTS: Higher insulin concentration were found in groups C vs. A (6.93 vs. 3.68 uIU/ml, p = 0.00005); B vs A (5.49 vs. 3.68 uIU/ml, p = 0.02). HOMA IR was significantly higher in the C vs A group (1.38 vs. 0.73, p = 0.00014); and B vs A (1.11 vs. 0.73, p = 0.03). Quicki were lower in C vs. A (0.7 vs. 0.96, p = 0.00068). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of insulin resistance appears to be more associated with lower birth weight than time of birth. No greater risk of insulin resistance has been established in preterm births with AGA.